Tony-award winning Leslie Odom Jr.’s newest album, “Mr.,” might not make you “talk less,” but it will definitely make you “smile more.” The “Hamilton” star has turned out to be an artistic renaissance man, skilled not only in live performance but also in film, writing and jazz.
The album is Odom Jr.’s third studio album. His self-released debut album, “Leslie Odom Jr.,” featured the singer’s spin on 10 classic jazz standards. His 2016 Christmas Album, “Simply Christmas,” accomplished the same with some of our favorite festive tunes.
If you liked “Simply Christmas,” then you’ll love “Mr.” Though it’s not a Christmas album, it has the same magical energy holiday songs do—all the more reason to listen to the artist year-round.
Something that sets “Mr.” apart from Odom Jr.’s previous albums is that it’s his first with original songs. He shared in an interview that many of the songs started out as journal entries and hold a deeply personal meaning.
Odom Jr. also said he intentionally doesn’t want his fans to know the meaning behind the album’s title as to not limit imagination. He feels lyric interpretation is subjective and doesn’t want to say the title or songs can only have one definitive meaning. I like that he encourages individual artistic interpretation, but knowing what a song means to artists has never prevented me from listening with an open mind. If anything, it lets me learn more about who the artist is as a person.
The first single released from the album was “Under Pressure” and is about the weight of expectations. The beat of the song is catchy, and the build-up to the chorus is both powerful and anxiety-inducing.
The lead single on the album is “Go Crazy” and is an electric and charismatic song about his desire for a woman who is making him, you guessed it, “go crazy.” The song has a Latin influence and features a flirtatious piano and a big brass section with blaring horns.
Like many of his songs, “Go Crazy” is very theatrical. Given Odom Jr.’s performance background, it’s no wonder he is able to capture the energy and feeling of a live performance in his recorded albums. “Go Crazy” opens with the lyrics “She walk like a woman, she sexy and free / Something in her water’s got a hold on me.” I can’t help but think these lyrics paired with the snappy intro would be the perfect track for one of those fun and breezy tampon commercials. Anyways.
A song that stands out on the album is actually an unaccompanied spoken word piece. “Eva’s Song (A Psalm of Life)” is spoken by an older woman and features selected verses from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “A Psalm of Life.” I found this piece particularly moving and would love to know Odom Jr.’s thoughts on this poem selection.
My favorite track on the album, “Standards,” is a powerful ballad about standing up for yourself and not accepting anything short of what you deserve. It perfectly captures the feeling of the album with smooth effortless verses that build momentum to a grand, showy chorus. Close seconds for my favorite track are “Hummingbird” and “Stronger Magic,” where Odom Jr. sounds like Frank Sinatra if he were born in the age of modern pop music.
Overall, I think this album is a hidden gem. Some songs are catchier than others, but there isn’t one on the album I don’t enjoy listening to. Odom Jr. effortlessly combines elements of soul, R&B, jazz, pop, and even doo-wop at times to make one cohesive and distinguishable sound.
Even more impressive is how Odom Jr. perfectly accomplished the ever-so-difficult task of being vocally trained in music theater while not sounding the part in his jazz and pop music. He maneuvers through his wide range with such grace and passion while telling great stories and brightening your day at the same time.
Oh yea, some good music. His voice is like honey for my soul. Btw, do you think “Standards” kinda sounds like the song “feeling good”?
Yes! I do think it has a very similar vibe! Thanks for reading!
It’s exactly the same. Specifically the Bassnectar remix of Feelin’ Good. Exact same. Shocked it’s not a copyright infringement (unless he did it as an homage).
i thought so too when i first listened to it!
Standards is a original jam. It has the feeling of feeling good but its an entirely different song. Odom is a national treasure.